When emergencies strike, your ability to act quickly can mean the difference between life and death. Whether it is a car crash, a medical emergency, or someone in distress, bystanders may hesitate to help due to their worries about facing legal consequences if something should go wrong. At Jainchill & Beckert, LLC, we understand these concerns. Through our extensive experience representing injury victims, we have seen the importance of immediate assistance in emergencies.
With more than 55 years of combined experience, our personal injury attorneys have helped countless Connecticut residents understand their rights and responsibilities after car accidents. We believe everyone should feel comfortable helping others in need without fear of legal repercussions under laws such as Connecticut’s Good Samaritan laws.
What Is Connecticut’s Good Samaritan Law?
Connecticut’s Good Samaritan Law serves a vital purpose. It encourages medical professionals and ordinary citizens to help people when emergencies arise. The law protects people from legal liability for ordinary negligence while rendering emergency aid.
Forms of emergency assistance the good samaritan law covers include the following:
- First aid and emergency medical care — The law protects medical professionals and laypeople who provide emergency assistance.
- Use of life-saving devices — Those who use or maintain automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) receive protection.
- Administration of emergency medications — The law covers the use of EpiPens and opioid antagonists like Narcan.
- Rescue operations — People who rescue children or animals from dangerous situations, such as hot vehicles, receive protection as well under the law.
The law’s protections apply regardless of whether someone helps voluntarily or must do so as part of their job. To be eligible for protection, the person must provide emergency assistance in good faith during a genuine emergency.
Are There Any Exceptions to the Connecticut Good Samaritan Law?
Connecticut’s Good Samaritan Law offers broad protection, but it does not provide blanket immunity. The law protects against only claims of ordinary negligence — those everyday mistakes that reasonable people might make while trying to help in an emergency.
The good samaritan law does not protect against:
- Gross negligence — Actions that show a severe lack of care or concern for others’ safety.
- Willful misconduct — Deliberately harmful or reckless behavior.
- Malicious intent — Actions meant to cause harm rather than help.
For example, if someone provides CPR during an emergency and breaks a rib (a common occurrence even when a person does CPR correctly), the Good Samaritan Law would protect them. However, if someone knowingly attempts a dangerous medical procedure they are qualified to perform, that could constitute gross negligence. It would not receive protection. In such situations, the injured individual retains their right to file legal action against the person whose unsafe intervention caused them harm.
What Is Not Protected Under the Good Samaritan Law?
The Good Samaritan Law does not protect:
- People who caused the original emergency — If you created a dangerous situation, you cannot claim immunity for trying to help afterward.
- Actions taken outside of an emergency — The protection applies only in genuine emergencies.
- Medical professionals working in their regular capacity — The law generally applies to emergency assistance outside of regular professional duties.
- Actions taken for compensation — The assistance must be voluntary and without expectation of payment.
When in doubt about whether you have experienced a situation that would fall under the protection of the Connecticut Good Samaritan Law, consult with an experienced personal injury attorney.
What Should I Do If I Am at the Scene of an Emergency?
If you encounter an emergency, the emotional charge can make it challenging to know what the most appropriate steps to take might be. Here are some guidelines to follow:
- First, ensure your safety — You cannot help others if you put yourself in danger.
- Call 911 immediately — You should always notify professional emergency responders.
- Stay calm and assess the situation — Take a moment to evaluate what help you can safely provide.
- Provide basic assistance within your capabilities — Only offer help that you can ably provide. Do not try anything you are not trained to do.
- Stay with the person until professional help arrives — Your presence can provide comfort. You can also update emergency responders.
- Document the scene if possible — Take note of important details about the emergency and surrounding scene.
Remember, the Good Samaritan Law protects those who act in good faith to help others. Don’t let fear of liability prevent you from providing reasonable assistance in an emergency.
What Should You Do If the Injured Person Does Not Give Consent?
Consent can become complicated in emergencies. If a person is conscious and able to communicate, you should ask for their permission before you assist them. However, the law recognizes that, due to their condition, people may be unable to give that consent.
The Good Samaritan Law accounts for these situations through the principle of ‘implied consent.” If someone is unconscious, confused, or otherwise unable to respond, the law assumes they would consent to receiving emergency care that a reasonable person would want. However, if a conscious person refuses help, you should respect their decision and wait for professional emergency responders to arrive.
Contact a Connecticut Personal Injury Lawyer
At Jainchill & Beckert, LLC, we understand the complexity of emergencies and their legal implications. Our experienced personal injury attorneys have spent decades representing Connecticut residents. We know how to handle the most challenging cases.
Whether you provided emergency assistance and have questions about your legal protections, or you received emergency care and have concerns about your rights, we can help explain your options. Our dedicated team brings more than 55 years of combined legal experience to every case we handle.
We take every case personally because we understand what’s at stake for our clients and their families. Our collaborative approach means that even when you work with one partner directly, you benefit from our entire team’s knowledge and experience. To learn more and discuss your case, contact us today and receive a free consultation.
